It is estimated that by 2036, the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians, leading to significant challenges for patients trying to access timely care. As this shortage grows, physician extenders such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are becoming more popular to help bridge the gap. However, these professionals have different education levels than physicians and remain costly, which does not alleviate the burden of a physician shortage on the healthcare system.  

Additionally, only 40 percent of current physicians would recommend a career in medicine, largely due to inadequate Medicare reimbursement. Insufficient reimbursement is forcing many physicians to consider opting out of the Medicare program altogether. In 2023, although only 1 percent of physicians opted out of the Medicare program, a survey revealed that one in five physicians are considering ending their careers or pursuing different careers, largely due to the strain created by insufficient Medicare reimbursement. 

Vulnerable populations, such as those on Medicare and Medicaid, already struggle to find a physician, and this issue is likely to worsen as more physicians opt out of the program. Consequently, patients may face longer wait times, need to travel further for care, or rely more on physician extenders to meet their healthcare needs. The projected physician shortage and issues with Medicare reimbursement highlight the need for systemic changes to ensure that patients continue to receive timely and high-quality care.  

To learn more about the challenges physicians and patients face, check out our white paper, titled “Is There a Doctor in the House?” to learn more.